FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Matthew Torres and Colleen Young, two Fairfield University swimming alums, are ready to represent the United States in Paris this summer after qualifying for the 2024 Paralympic Games set for August 28 through September 8.

Both qualified during the 2024 Paralympics based on their performances at the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Trials which took place at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis on June 27-29. Both swimmers competed in multiple events with Torres making his mark in the 100m backstroke, the 400m free, the 100m free, and the 50m free. Young swam three events during the trials, taking her lane for the 100m breaststroke, the 100m free, and the 200 IM.

Torres and Young will both challenge for more medals this year after winning medals in previous Paralympic Games. Young collected a silver (200m IM) and a bronze (100m breast) at the Tokyo games and a bronze at the Rio de Janeiro games. Torres earned his first Paralympic medal at the Tokyo games, picking up a bronze medal in the 400m free. Young also won 12 World Championship medals over her career (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze) while Torres has two silver medals from World Championship competition.

The pair also made their mark while swimming for the Stags, each competing at various championship events. Young won a pair of MAAC Championships in the 200y breaststroke (2018 and 2019) and was part of three 400 medley relay teams that capture the gold at the 2018, 2019, and 2020 MAAC Championships. Torres participated in practically every distance of the freestyle during his career and also contributed to the team cause with his performances in the backstroke.